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Our animal friends are more than companions. Our furry and
feathered playmates are reflections of our unconscious emotions
and actions. Through their behavior, animals mirror the aspects
of our lives that are out of harmony. These crafty creatures are
on a compassionate mission: to help us re-align with our life
goals when we get off course.
A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words
Sometimes this reflective phenomenon is easily seen between
parents and children. On his TV show, Dr. Phil explains how
children's emotions and actions are reflections of their
parents' unconscious emotions and actions. Dr. Phil uses TV
cameras in people's homes to catch this reflection on video.
In one family, the cameras reveal how accurately a son reflects
the emotional state of his mother. The mother is angry. The son
is angry. Mom throws things when she is frustrated. So does her
child. When feeling out of control, mom smacks her son. When
having a tantrum, the child hits his mom. Before the mother saw
her own actions on tape, she mistakenly thought that her son is
the cause of the disharmony. The mother was unaware that her son
is reflecting her own feelings. After seeing the tape, mom
realizes that she will have to first change her own behavior
before her child's behavior will change.
The Pet Reflection
Animals, like children, also mirror our unconscious emotions and
actions. Just like the son who reflects the anger of his mother,
our pet "children" reflect how we really feel when we're not
aware of our true feelings and behaviors. If pets are
"misbehaving," our pet pals are most likely telling us that
we're "misbehaving." We're out of alignment with our life goals
and don't know it!
Animals see beyond our "I've got it all together" outer
appearances. They know what's really going on inside us. Being
quite sensitive, it's easy for animals to know that we're angry,
scared, confused or depressed before we know it. And to inform
us, our pet buddies show us what's going on with our feelings in
the only way they have available—through their actions.
Behaving in unusual or annoying ways is usually the only means
critters have to get our attention.
Animals are in our lives to assist us to have more fun, joy and
harmony. When pets are happy, they're reflecting to us that
we're being successful in living in a way that's harmonious and
nurturing. And when pets are "misbehaving," our pesky pals are
"telling" us that we're not acting in our own best interest. In
a very real way, our pets "r" us.
Here's an example of how the "pet reflection" works:
Wishbone, a Cocker Spaniel Who "Leaks"
Wishbone is a sweet cocker spaniel who loves people.
Unfortunately, this wiggling ball of fur pees uncontrollably
when he interacts with people. If people are standing too close
when Wishbone greets them, he leaks all over their feet.
Thinking Wishbone's problem is physical, his "mom," Ann, takes
the spaniel to several veterinarians. Wishbone gets a clean bill
of health. The cause of the problem is not physiological.
What's this leaking spaniel reflecting about Ann? In one moment
his behavior says, "I'm happy to see you." The next second he
repels people by peeing on them. The spunky spaniel is giving
mixed messages to the people he enjoys being with. Wishbone
might be reflecting that Ann is giving mixed messages to the
people she enjoys being with.
When Ann tells me about "Wishbone's" problem, the pet reflection
becomes clear. On the one hand she praises her pooch saying,
"Wishbone's such a great dog." In the next breath she reveals
her pain and conflict complaining, "I'm so frustrated with him,
I don't know what to do." Ann is giving me mixed messages! And
the more Ann shares with me about the rest of her life, the more
mixed messages I hear. It doesn't take me long to verify that
Wishbone is reflecting Ann's mixed communications. When I'm
alone with the spaniel and I'm consistent with my message to
him, my feet stay dry. Any time I give him a mixed message, he
pees on me. I quickly learn not to say "What a good boy" at the
same time I feel upset with him.
Through his contradictory actions, Wishbone is trying to tell
Ann that she's putting out contradictory messages to her world.
Also, because Wishbone is unconsciously pushing away people he
wants to be with, most likely Ann is unconsciously pushing away
people she wants to be with. When I asked Ann about this
pattern, she realized that she is inadvertently keeping people
at a distance.
Wishbone' s offering a reflective gift to Ann. He's
demonstrating to her that she's sending mixed messages to him
and other people. He's showing Ann a way for her to be happier.
Since Ann took Wishbone's reflection to heart and is keeping her
emotions more congruent with her actions, her relationships are
improving. And to her delight, when she's consistent with her
messages to Wishbone, he doesn't pee on her!
Our pets offer us a gift. They show us when we're off course in
reaching our life goals. We'll never get our dreams if we're out
of sync with ourselves. So, it's up to us to make the changes
that will harmonize what we're feeling and doing. And we'll know
when we're back on course because our blessed companions will
stop their disharmonious behavior!
What's Your Pet's Gift for You?
Is your dog nipping at people for no apparent reason? Is your
horse or parrot biting you? How about your cat clawing your arm
or your furniture? Does your pet hide or run away from you?
These signs might be your animal companion's way of showing you
that you're angry—or afraid.
Sometimes we're not aware that we're angry. Many people don't
like feeling out of control when angry feelings rumble through
them. We don't like feeling angry when we'd rather be feeling
loving. So, when we get angry, we unconsciously stuff our
emotions. If your pet is biting or clawing you, someone else or
your furniture, this reflection might indicate that you're
unconsciously angry. Once you find your hidden anger and deal
with it, your animal will stop biting or clawing.
At other times we might not realize we're scared. When we're
afraid, we sometimes unconsciously use harsh, biting words to
keep people at a distance. Or, we might unconsciously avoid
people we're afraid of. These actions help us feel safe when
we're scared. If your pet is snarling, biting, hiding or running
away, this reflection might indicate that you're afraid and
trying to protect yourself. Rather than "bite" other people or
"hide" to make yourself feel secure, you might choose a more
conscious and desirable way to protect yourself. And once you
feel safe, your animal will stop snarling, biting, hiding or
running away!
Don't Blame the Messenger!
When your spunky pet gets your attention through "misbehaving,"
it's for your highest good! So it's to your benefit to see the
reflection. Your buddy is telling you that you've strayed from
living in a way that will make you happy.
The next time your pet "misbehaves," rather than correcting your
pet, why not experiment with changing yourself? Then notice what
happens. Once you harmonize your own feelings and behavior, your
"pet's" behavior problem will "magically" disappear!
If you'd like to find out more about the reflective relationship
between people and animals, here are some books that might help.
Two books by Ted Andrews, "Animal-Speak" and "Animal-Wise," show
how people enrich their lives by understanding the specific
traits of animals. "Animal Angels," by Charlene R. Johnson and
Michael Rebel, contains true tales about how animals guide
people's lives back to happiness and health.
About the author:
Sulana Stone, personal life coach, vision quest guide and animal
communicator, assists people to get the gift of their pet's
reflection through email, phone and workshops. She provides hot
tips and fresh articles for people who want more love in life,
yearn for a more fulfilling job, or seek a purpose beyond the
mundane in a FREE Prosperity Ezine at www.SedonaVisionQuest.com.
Contact sulana@redvetteranch.com or 602.861.2631.
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